Performance sock

ABSTRACT

Embodiments relate generally to the field of footwear, and more particularly to performance footwear, such as socks, for the prevention of bruising, blisters, irritation and moisture accumulation. In some embodiments, dynamic cushion socks are provided that may include independent cushioning segments in the midfoot region that allow for improved impact cushioning, while also reducing weight and improving ventilation. Some embodiments also include a medial tab for protecting the ankle bone (e.g., the malleolus) from scrapes, abrasions, friction, and/or impact.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/333,664, filed May 11, 2010, entitled “PERFORMANCESOCK,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field offootwear, and more particularly to performance footwear, such as socks,to help in the prevention of bruising, blisters, and moistureaccumulation.

BACKGROUND

The repetitive motion of the foot while running and exercising can causeproblems such as bruising (e.g., from impact), blisters (e.g., fromfriction, heat, and sweat or moisture), and other irritations.Conventional performance socks provide impact protection with cushionedsoles. However, the cushion is usually sizeable, and covers large areas,for instance the entire sole of the sock, adding to weight andrestricting ventilation. Ventilation panels may be incorporated into thesock, but these usually cover the entire top surface of the foot, whichis an area that is covered by the shoe tongue and not particularly openfor ventilation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be readily understood by the following detaileddescription in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Embodimentsare illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in thefigures of the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D and 1E illustrate a lateral view (FIG. 1A), amedial view (FIG. 1B), a top view (FIG. 1C), a front view (FIG. 1D), anda back view (FIG. 1E) of an example of a dynamic cushion sock, inaccordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of an example of a dynamic cushion sock(FIG. 2A), and three images of an anatomical footstrike map from a gaitcycle (FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D), in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate lateral views of a no-show style of a dynamiccushion sock (FIG. 3A), and a quarter length or mid-height style of adynamic cushion sock (FIG. 3B), in accordance with various embodiments;and

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate bottom interior views of examples ofalternative embodiments of dynamic cushion socks, in accordance withvarious embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, reference is made to theaccompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which are shownby way of illustration embodiments that may be practiced. It is to beunderstood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural orlogical changes may be made without departing from the scope. Therefore,the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limitingsense, and the scope of embodiments is defined by the appended claimsand their equivalents.

Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations inturn, in a manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments;however, the order of description should not be construed to imply thatthese operations are order dependent.

The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down,back/front, and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used tofacilitate the discussion and are not intended to restrict theapplication of disclosed embodiments.

The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, maybe used. It should be understood that these terms are not intended assynonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected”may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physicalor electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may mean that two ormore elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However,“coupled” may also mean that two or more elements are not in directcontact with each other, but yet still cooperate or interact with eachother.

For the purposes of the description, a phrase in the form “NB” or in theform “A and/or B” means (A), (B), or (A and B). For the purposes of thedescription, a phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, and C” means(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C). For thepurposes of the description, a phrase in the form “(A)B” means (B) or(AB) that is, A is an optional element.

The description may use the terms “embodiment” or “embodiments,” whichmay each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments.Furthermore, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” and thelike, as used with respect to embodiments, are synonymous.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may be directed to performancesocks that may help prevent irritation and injury to the foot duringexercise, such as running, walking, and other impact-generatingactivities. In various embodiments, dynamic cushion socks are providedthat may include independent cushioning segments in the midfoot regionthat allow for improved impact cushioning, while also reducing weightand improving ventilation. In some embodiments, the independentcushioning segments may move individually, and may adapt and/or map to anatural footstrike zone of a foot and/or terrain conditions. In variousembodiments, the independent cushioning segments may allow the sole tobe more open than that of conventional performance socks, which may inturn increase ventilation along the footbed. In particular embodiments,the independent cushioning segments also may reduce the weight of thesock.

Various embodiments may provide enhanced cushioning in the heel and/ortoe zones, which may provide impact protection for high-impactactivities, and also may provide extra durability in high wear zones.Further embodiments of the present disclosure also may includeventilation areas on the sock upper that may be shaped and placed tomaximize airflow within shoes, and/or reduce or alleviate friction inflex zones. Still further embodiments may include a medial cuff tab thatmay protect the medial ankle bone (e.g., the malleolus) from injury.

FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D, and 1E illustrate a lateral view (FIG. 1A), amedial view (FIG. 1B), a top view (FIG. 1C), a front view (FIG. 1D), anda back view (FIG. 1E) of an example of a dynamic cushion sock, inaccordance with various embodiments. Embodiments, of the sock 10 mayinclude an upper portion 12 and a sole portion 14, in addition to a toeregion 16, a midfoot region 18, and a heel region 20. In someembodiments, the toe region 16 and the heel region 20 may includeimpact-protecting cushioning 22 that may protect these high-pressureareas of the foot during impact-generating activities.

In various embodiments, the midfoot region 18 may include one or morecushioning segments 24 that may anatomically map to a natural footstrikeof the wearer. In various embodiments, the cushioning segments 24 may bepositioned on the sole portion 14 of the sock, and each cushioningsegment 24 may move and react individually and dynamically to adapt tothe wearer's footstrike and/or the terrain. In some embodiments, thecushioning segments 24 also may be separated and oriented in such a wayas to provide channels that can direct moisture and heat away from thefoot bed sole region and toward the outer and upper portion of the sock.Such positioning may enhance the ventilation of the sock and in turnhelp reduce irritation due to moisture build up in the strike zones ofthe foot.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cushioning segments 24 and/orcushioning 22 may be knit from the same type of yarn that makes up therest of the sock 10, for instance a facial yarn, such as one made fromCoolMax™, merino wool, nylon fibers, polyester fibers, Cocona™, bamboofibers, acrylic fibers, ThermoCool™ fibers, tetra-channel polyesterfibers, activated carbon particles, carbon fibers, or another yarnselected to have moisture-wicking properties. In other embodiments,cushioning segments 24 and/or cushioning 22 may be knit from a differenttype of yarn that makes up the rest of the sock 10. In other examples,cushioning 22 and/or cushioning segments 24 may include an elastomericmaterial, for instance rubber or other polymers, that may be woven orknit into place, or that may be applied by other application techniques.

In some examples, the body of sock 10 may be knit using a stockinettestitch (also known as a simple knit stitch), reverse stockinette stitch(also known as a simple purl stitch), rib stitch, or combinationthereof, for example, and cushioning segments 24 and/or cushioning 22may be knit using a different stitch, for instance a terry cushionstitch.

In various embodiments, cushioning 22 and cushioning segments 24 may begenerally thicker than the surrounding sock material, and may projectfrom the inside surface, the outside surface, or from both surfaces. Invarious embodiments, the height and material of the cushioning segmentsmay be selected to provide the degree of cushioning desired to suit aparticular user, activity, sock material, or shoe type. Similarly, invarious embodiments, the spacing between the cushioning segments may beselected to provide a desired degree of venting and/or wicking that maybe necessary for a particular activity, sock material, or shoe type.

In various embodiments, cushioning segments may be arranged based on ananatomical footstrike map of a gait cycle. FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, and 2Dillustrate a bottom view of an example of a dynamic cushion sock (FIG.2A), and three images of an anatomical footstrike map from a gait cycle(FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D), in accordance with various embodiments. As shownin FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 2D, a footstrike may start at the outside of a footand move from a lateral heelstrike to a medial toe-off. FIG. 2B showsthe anatomical footstrike map during the heelstrike portion of anexemplary stride, FIG. 2C shows the map during the midfoot transitionportion of the stride, and FIG. 2D shows the map during the toe-offportion of the stride. These footstrike patterns are generally trackedin the layout of the cushioning segments 24 shown in FIG. 2A.

In various embodiments, each individual ridge of the cushioning segments24 may be separate and independent from adjacent ridges, such that theycan move independently and respond to an individual gait pattern. Forinstance, an individual runner who tends to pronate or overpronate mayuse different cushioning segments 24 than will a runner who tends tosupinate. Similarly, different cushioning segments 24 may be used inresponse to different trail conditions.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 4A, and 4B, cushioning segments24 also may be decoupled from cushioning 22 in the toe and/or heelregions such that cushioning segments 24 may be used independently ofcushioning 22 areas. Furthermore, in various embodiments, cushioningsegments 24 may be oriented relative to one another so as to formchannels 38 therebetween. In some embodiments, these channels 38 mayserve to direct heat and/or moisture away from the center of the footand toward the sides, where the heat and/or moisture may exit thefootwear thought the ventilation of the footwear upper. Additionally,the spaces between cushioning segments 24 (e.g., channels 38) may serveto reduce the weight of sock 10. In various embodiments, cushioningsegments 24 may have different heights, compositions, and/or sizes, forexample, in order to vary the degree of cushioning they provide. In someembodiments, in some areas of the foot, one or more closed loop segments40 may be used, for instance to increase the amount of cushioning inhigher impact areas.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate bottom interior views of two examples ofalternative examples of dynamic cushion technology socks, in accordancewith various embodiments. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4A, forinstance, the cushioning segments 24 are arranged in a symmetricalpattern, and closed loop segments 40 are included for additionalcushioning. By contrast, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, no closedloop segments 40 are included, and cushioning segments 24 are arrangedin a generally symmetrical pattern. Such embodiments may be desirable,for instance, when a sock is designed to be wearable by both the rightand the left foot. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B show theconfiguration of cushioning segments 24 and channels 38 when the sock isnot being worn, however one of skill in the art will appreciate that thechannels 38 may stretch around the contour of a foot when worn, and maywrap around the sides of the foot in order to direct heat and/ormoisture away from the sole.

In some embodiments, sock 10 also may include one or more venting areas26 that may be located generally in the upper portion 12 of sock 10, andthat may be configured to allow heat and moisture to exit sock 10. Invarious embodiments, these venting areas 26 may be sized to maximizeventilation, while still allowing sufficient padding to be placed inhigher pressure areas of the upper portion 12 of sock 10. In theillustrated embodiment, venting areas 26 may be provided on both themedial side and the lateral side of the upper portion 12 of sock 10. Invarious embodiments, venting areas 26 may be knit from the same materialas the rest of sock 10, for instance a facial yarn (such as one madefrom CoolMax™, merino wool, nylon fibers, polyester fibers, Cocona™,bamboo fibers, acrylic fibers, thermocool fibers, tetra-channelpolyester fibers, activated carbon particles, carbon fibers, or anotheryarn selected to have moisture-wicking properties) in combination with adifferent type of yarn, such as a plaiting yarn, for instance one madeof nylon, spandex, polyester, or elastane. In some embodiments, theventing areas 26 may be knit using a looser knit, such as a mesh stitchor honeycomb stitch, to allow greater airflow and moisture wickingthrough venting areas 26. In some embodiments, a mesh panel may bejacquarded in place to allow for greater airflow and moisture wickingthrough venting areas 26.

In various embodiments, one or more flex zones 28 also may be included,for instance to help reduce fabric bunching and maximize airflow inareas prone to bunching, such as where the toe region 16 meets themidfoot region (also known as the metatarsal region of the foot) 18, andwhere the midfoot region 18 meets the cuff region 30. In the illustratedembodiment, the flex zones 28 may include one or more elongated regions32 that extend toward the sides of the foot, and the elongated regions32 may be connected by a larger central region 34. In some embodiments,elongated regions 32 may facilitate flexion while also inhibitingbunching of the fabric in the thicker areas of the sock. In variousembodiments, elongated regions 32 may be generally H-shaped, which mayhelp maximize the amount of mesh venting in the flex zones. In someembodiments, flex zones 28 may be knit from the same material as therest of sock 10, for instance a facial yarn (such as one made fromCoolMax™, merino wool, nylon fibers, polyester fibers, Cocona™, bamboofibers, acrylic fibers, ThermoCool™ fibers, tetra-channel polyesterfibers, activated carbon particles, carbon fibers, or another yarnselected to have moisture-wicking properties), in combination with adifferent type of yarn, such as a plaiting yarn, for instance one madeof nylon, spandex, polyester or elastane. In some embodiments, flexzones 28 may be knit using a looser knit, such as a mesh stitch, toallow greater airflow and moisture wicking through the venting areas 26.Further, in some embodiments, the knit may be such that it is generallythinner than the thickness of sock 10 in order to help reduce thebunching tendency in thicker areas of sock 10.

Various embodiments also may include an arch support area 42 (see, e.g.,FIGS. 1B, 2A, and 4A). In some embodiments, arch support area 42 may beprovided by compression knitting, for instance by using a tighter knitthat may serve to support and/or compress the arch area of the foot. Insome embodiments, arch support area 42 (FIG. 2A) may be knit fromplaiting yarn, for instance made from, nylon, spandex, polyester and/orelastane. In some embodiments, the extra support from arch support area42 may be provided by applying an additional compression material, suchas polystyrene, which may be woven into arch support area 42.

In various embodiments, sock 10 also may include a cuff region 30 thatmay include a medial tab 36 for protecting the ankle bone (e.g., themalleolus) from scrapes, abrasions, friction, and/or impact (see, e.g.FIGS. 1A, 1D, and 1E). In embodiments, medial tab 36 may be knit fromthe same material as the rest of sock 10, for instance a facial yarn(such as one made from CoolMax™, merino wool, nylon fibers, polyesterfibers, Cocona™, bamboo fibers, acrylic fibers, thermocool fibers,tetra-channel polyester fibers, activated carbon particles, carbonfibers, or another yarn selected to have moisture-wicking properties),in combination with a different type of yarn such as a plaiting yarn,for instance one made of nylon, spandex, polyester, or elastane. In someembodiments, medial tab 36 may be knit using a different knit, forinstance a terry cushion stitch. In other examples, medial tab 36 mayinclude an elastomeric material, for instance rubber, that may be wovenor knit into place, or that may be applied by other methods. In variousembodiments, medial tab 36 may be slightly thicker than the surroundingsock material.

Although a low-rise version of the sock is illustrated in FIG. 1, othersock styles are contemplated, such as a no-show version, as shown inFIG. 3A, and a quarter-length or mid-height version, as shown in FIG.3B. Similarly, the sock may be adapted to be paired with a particularshoe, such as an athletic shoe, and in various embodiments, ventingareas 26 may be positioned to correspond with the venting areas of aparticular style of shoe.

Although certain embodiments have been illustrated and described herein,it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a widevariety of alternate and/or equivalent embodiments or implementationscalculated to achieve the same purposes may be substituted for theembodiments shown and described without departing from the scope. Thosewith skill in the art will readily appreciate that embodiments may beimplemented in a very wide variety of ways. This application is intendedto cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments discussedherein. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that embodiments be limitedonly by the claims and the equivalents thereof.

1. A dynamic cushion sock comprising: a sock body comprising an upperportion and a sole portion, wherein the sole portion comprises a toeregion, a midfoot region, and a heel region; wherein the midfoot regioncomprises a plurality of discrete cushioning segments, wherein thediscrete cushioning segments are configured to provide a plurality ofinter-segment channels, and wherein the inter-segment channels areconfigured to direct moisture and/or heat away from the sole region. 2.The dynamic cushion sock of claim 1, wherein the sock body and thecushioning segments comprise knit facial yarn.
 3. The dynamic cushionsock of claim 2, wherein the knit facial yarn comprises tetra-channelpolyester fibers, merino wool, nylon fibers, polyester fibers, activatedcarbon particles, carbon fibers, bamboo fibers, acrylic fibers, or acombination thereof.
 4. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 1, wherein thecushioning segments comprise an elastomeric material.
 5. The dynamiccushion sock of claim 2, wherein the sock body comprises a stockinettestitch knit, a reverse stockinette stitch knit, or a rib knit stitch,and wherein the cushioning segments comprise a terry cushion stitch. 6.The dynamic cushion sock of claim 1, wherein the cushioning segmentscomprise at least one closed-loop segment.
 7. The dynamic cushion sockof claim 1, wherein each of the cushioning segments and the sock bodyhave a thickness dimension, and wherein the thickness dimension of thecushioning segments is generally greater than the thickness dimension ofthe sock body.
 8. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 1, wherein thecushioning segments project from an inside surface of the sock body,from an outside surface of the sock body, or from both the inside andoutside surfaces of the sock body.
 9. The dynamic cushion sock of claim1, wherein the cushioning segments are aligned to generally correspondto an anatomical footstrike pattern.
 10. The dynamic cushion sock ofclaim 1, wherein the sock body further comprises heel and/or toecushioning portions, and wherein the heel and/or toe cushioning portionsare configured to cushion the heel and or toe of a user during afootstrike.
 11. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 10, wherein thecushioning segments are discontinuous with the heel and/or toecushioning portions.
 12. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 1, whereinthe sock body further comprises one or more venting areas, wherein theone or more venting areas are configured to allow heat and/or moistureto exit the sock.
 13. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 12, wherein thesock body further comprises one or more flex zones, wherein the flexzones are configured to prevent bunching of the sock in the metatarsalregion or in an upper midfoot region.
 14. The dynamic cushion sock ofclaim 13, wherein the one or more venting areas and/or flex zonescomprise a plaiting yarn comprising nylon, spandex, polyester, and/orelastane.
 15. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 13, wherein the one ormore venting areas and/or flex zones comprise a mesh stitch or honeycombstitch.
 16. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 1, wherein the sock bodyfurther comprises an arch support region, a cuff region, a medial tab,or a combination thereof.
 17. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 1,wherein the sock body further comprises a medial tab, wherein the medialtab comprises an elastomeric material, a terry cushion stitch, or acombination thereof.
 18. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 1, whereinthe sock body further comprises a medial tab, wherein the medial tab andthe sock body each has a thickness dimension, and wherein the thicknessdimension of the medial tab is generally greater than the thicknessdimension of the sock body.
 19. The dynamic cushion sock of claim 1,wherein the sock is a low-rise sock, a no-show sock, a quarter-lengthsock, a mid-height sock, or a knee-high sock.
 20. A dynamic cushion sockcomprising: a sock body comprising an upper portion and a sole portion,wherein the sole portion comprises a toe region, a midfoot region, and aheel region; wherein the midfoot region comprises a plurality ofdiscrete cushioning segments, wherein the discrete cushioning segmentsare configured to provide a plurality of inter-segment channels, whereinthe inter-segment channels are configured to direct moisture and/or heataway from the sole region, and wherein the cushioning segments arealigned to generally conform to an anatomical footstrike pattern;wherein the sock body further comprises heel and/or toe cushioningportions configured to protect the heel and or toe of a user from impactduring a footstrike; wherein the sock body further comprises one or moreventing areas configured to allow heat and/or moisture to exit the sock;wherein the sock body further comprises one or more flex zonesconfigured to prevent bunching of the sock in the metatarsal regionand/or near the top of the midfoot region; and wherein the sock bodyfurther comprises an arch support region, a cuff region, a medial tab,or a combination thereof.